RRND Email Full Text (Scheduled)

  • Trump reneges on Iran ceasefire deal after Israeli violations

    Source: AOL

    “Donald Trump has broken his silence on a key question [sic] surrounding the US-Iran ceasefire deal. The US president addressed reports about the agreement’s scope in a new interview, and his answer has already drawn sharp reactions from multiple world leaders. US President Donald Trump told PBS News that Lebanon is not included in the ceasefire agreement between Washington and Iran. Trump cited Hezbollah as the reason for Lebanon’s exclusion, adding that the situation ‘will get taken care of.’ White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Lebanon’s exclusion from the deal, according to Axios. Trump also described Israel’s continued strikes on Lebanon as ‘a separate skirmish,’ PBS NewsHour’s Liz Landers reported on X.” [editor’s note: There’s no “question.” Lebanon was part of the deal as announced. The main purpose of the Israeli strikes in Lebanon is probably precisely to get the larger war going again – TLK] (04/09/26)

    https://www.aol.com/articles/donald-trump-says-lebanon-not-072703656.html

  • Bondi defies House subpoena over Epstein files cover-up

    Source: Axios

    “Former Attorney General Pam Bondi will not comply with a subpoena to appear before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee next week for questioning on her handling of the Epstein files. Bondi, who was ousted from her post earlier this month, previously told reporters she will ‘follow the law’ in responding to a subpoena from the panel. ‘The Department of Justice has stated Pam Bondi will not appear on April 14 for a deposition since she is no longer attorney general and was subpoenaed in her capacity as attorney general,’ a committee spokesperson said. The panel will reach out to Bondi’s personal attorney ‘to discuss next steps,’ the spokesperson added.” (04/08/26)

    https://archive.is/1ANRM

  • Canada: Carney attracts yet another Conservative lawmaker to his Liberal Party

    Source: SFGate

    “Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has attracted another opposition Conservative lawmaker to the Liberal party, further assuring that he will soon have a majority government. Ontario Member of Parliament Marilyn Gladu alluded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to Canada’s sovereignty and economy for her decision to defect to Carney’s governing Liberals. Trump has talked about making Canada the 51st state and has applied punishing tariffs on certain key sectors. ‘The past year has been like no other Canada has ever faced,’ Gladu said in a statement Wednesday. ‘I’ve heard from constituents that you want serious leadership and a real plan to build a stronger and more independent Canadian economy.’ Gladu is the fifth Member of Parliament to defect to Carney and the fourth Conservative.” (04/08/26)

    https://www.sfgate.com/news/world/article/canadian-prime-minister-mark-carney-attracts-yet-22195678.php

  • Russia: Regime summons Japanese ambassador over Ukrainian drone investment

    Source: Reuters

    “Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that ​Moscow had summoned the Japanese ‌ambassador in protest over an investment made by a Japanese startup ​in Ukrainian interceptor drone technology.
    The ​Japanese company, Terra Drone, said ⁠in March it had invested an ​undisclosed sum in Ukrainian interceptor-drone ​producer Amazing Drones, which produces technology designed for rapid deployment on the battlefield. … The ​Kremlin has described Russia’s ​relations with Japan as having been ‘reduced to ‌zero’ ⁠over what it casts as Tokyo’s ‘unfriendly stance’ towards Moscow.” (04/08/26)

    https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-says-it-has-summoned-japanese-ambassador-over-ukrainian-drone-investment-2026-04-08/

  • TX: Cannabis businesses sue regime to block smokeable hemp ban

    Source: Texas Tribune

    “Texas hemp industry leaders and advocacy groups have sued the state to block new regulations that eliminate natural smokeable hemp products and increase licensing fees. The Texas Hemp Business Council, Hemp Industry & Farmers of America, and several Texas-based dispensaries and manufacturers filed for a temporary restraining order in state district court in Travis County against the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission on Tuesday. They argue that the agencies have overstepped their constitutional authority by rewriting the statutory definitions of hemp established by lawmakers in 2019. … ‘An administrative agency may not substitute its own policy judgment for the outcome produced by the constitutional lawmaking process,’ the lawsuit states.” (04/08/26)

    https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/08/texas-hemp-smokeable-ban-joints-lawsuit/

  • Gates to testify before House Oversight in Epstein probe

    Source: Politico

    “Bill Gates is scheduled to appear before the House Oversight Committee in the coming weeks, as the committee continues its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Gates will sit for a transcribed interview June 10, according to a person familiar with the matter granted anonymity to discuss the committee’s deliberations. His interview comes after the committee issued a March 3 letter requesting his testimony. A spokesperson for Gates said the Microsoft founder ‘welcomes’ the chance to appear before the committee.” (04/08/26)

    https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/07/bill-gates-testify-congress-epstein-probe-00861678